See Ya in Court

[MendoDave]

They should have made it F150ish so that it's similar but not the same.

+150 billionty-ish

[rockaduc]

"Ferrari has misappropriated the F-150 trademark in naming its new racing vehicle the F150 in order to capitalize on and profit from the substantial goodwill that Ford has developed in the F-150 trademark," said Ford in its complaint to the US District Court in Detroit.

Really Ford?? 

Exactly what I said when I read that.

[Le Pirate]

Not to take Ford's side, because I think this is stupid, but...is this one of those instances where they have to defend their trademark, even if it doesn't make any sense, in order to keep it free from future infringements.


One of those slippery slope type deals. I know in trademark cases, if you can't show that you've defended it in the past, you won't have a case...such as if some chinese car company comes out with a f150 peekup later 

[badgalbetty]

What would happen to a shopkeeper in france who put a label for 150 Francs (F150) on a piece of jewellery or on a bottle of perfume or on the price of a Renault part in the display case at the dealership?
Trademark infringement?

[ducatiz]

Not to take Ford's side, because I think this is stupid, but...is this one of those instances where they have to defend their trademark, even if it doesn't make any sense, in order to keep it free from future infringements.


One of those slippery slope type deals. I know in trademark cases, if you can't show that you've defended it in the past, you won't have a case...such as if some chinese car company comes out with a f150 peekup later 

you're exactly right.

if Ford did not reply, then it could later be argued that Ford has decided to lower their protection of the mark. 

That all being said, simple changes in the way the Ferrari mark was being used could have fixed that.  But that's just me.  And I'm just an attorney who has done trademarks now and then.

[Autostrada Pilot]

That's F-ed up.

Well said. 

[Goat_Herder]

Not taking anybody's side on this.  Companies do spend millions, if not billions, in marketing to bring brand awareness to the public.  They have the rights to defend their name sake.  I am sure Coca Cola would go off if somebody comes up with a Coca-Cola or a CocaCola drink. 

Porsche was sued by Peugeot long ago for its project car 901.  Peugeot owned the right to name cars with 3 numbers, with the middle number being zero.  Porsche complied and renamed it project 911. 

BMW recently sued Nissan/Infiniti for using the letter M.  That's a bit ridiculous but I don't blame BMW for trying.

[Triple J]

I don't have a problem with Ford defending their trademark...totally understandable.

I think it is hilarious that Ford is claiming that Ferrari is trying to "capitalize on and profit from" Ford's recognizable trademark. OK Ford, Ferrari needs your name to get people to like them and buy their cars. 

[Buckethead]

This is apparently a bigger issue than we, or at least I, initially thought.

Ferrari Crash 458 Italia run over by Ford  F150 Truck PARKED ON ITS HOOD!!!

WHEN WILL IT END?!?!?!

[ryandalling]

Man... I was headed out to buy a pickup truck and I almost got that Ferrari F150 by mistake... Good thing they changed the name to F150th italia....saved me about 500k

[sbrguy]

what do you mean saved you 500k? at that point you should have bought it.  isnt' the going rate for an f1 factory backed car something like 5million a year?   you wouldhave gotten a bargain at 500k. 

[ryandalling]

what do you mean saved you 500k? at that point you should have bought it.  isnt' the going rate for an f1 factory backed car something like 5million a year?   you wouldhave gotten a bargain at 500k. 

I think it may have been stolen... the guy was looking a bit wild eyed... told me I could pull stumps with it and haul hay... I think he was high.... I didnt have the 500k either way. 

[brimo]

This is apparently a bigger issue than we, or at least I, initially thought.

Ferrari Crash 458 Italia run over by Ford  F150 Truck PARKED ON ITS HOOD!!!


WHEN WILL IT END?!?!?!

That'll buff right out.

[Privateer]

you're exactly right.

if Ford did not reply, then it could later be argued that Ford has decided to lower their protection of the mark. 

That all being said, simple changes in the way the Ferrari mark was being used could have fixed that.  But that's just me.  And I'm just an attorney who has done trademarks now and then.

[TAftonomos]

Makes me ashamed....the things these idots do.  

I wrote them a short letter.  I'm sure I'll never hear anything from it.

The problem is the whole damn system, the way it's run, and the things people will do.  Our problems go much deeper than just this, but this (and similar situations) stink...